Branislav Ivanovic is suspended, meaning Ancelotti must decide whether to play Paulo Ferreira as a makeshift centre-half or put his faith in teenager Jeffrey Bruma.

John Obi Mikel is set to miss out again with a knee injury, Daniel Sturridge (knee) could be fit after returning to training, while Yury Zhirkov (calf), Alex (knee), and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Aston Villa will be boosted by the return of playmaker Ashley Young and striker Emile Heskey for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Young has returned to training after missing the last two games with the knee problem suffered in the home success against West Brom.

Heskey is also available after recovering from the twisted ankle sustained in the Boxing Day defeat against Tottenham at Villa Park.

But right-back Luke Young is again likely to be ruled out with the hip and groin setback which has troubled him since the 3-0 reversal at Liverpool.

Villa will be looking to avenge a 7-1 mauling in the corresponding game last season.